The room was cloaked in an uneasy silence as Xavier sat opposite Aric Von Caelum, the Grade Three disciple from the church. Aric's piercing gaze bore into Xavier, his cold and calculating eyes seemingly dissecting every nuance of Xavier's demeanor. The air crackled with tension, an invisible barrier separating the two figures in the dimly lit chamber.
Aric's voice cut through the heavy silence, laced with an air of authority. "Xavier, you are aware that you've been summoned here due to your involvement in the encounter with the Grade Two Hairstalker," he stated, his tone a blend of accusation and scrutiny.
Xavier, though feeling the weight of Aric's intense scrutiny, met his gaze with a steady resolve. "Yes, I survived an encounter with the creature," he replied, his voice calm but tinged with caution.
Aric leaned forward, his expression inscrutable. "Surviving an encounter with a Grade Two monster is not something a Grade One hunter accomplishes easily," he stated with a pointed edge to his words.
Xavier remained composed, though a sense of unease tugged at the edges of his confidence. "It was a harrowing experience, but luck played its part," he replied, choosing his words carefully.
Aric's gaze intensified, the pressure of his scrutiny almost palpable.
"Luck?" Aric scoffed. "I find it hard to believe that luck alone was responsible for your survival. There must be more to this than mere chance," he pressed, his voice a thinly veiled demand for the truth.
Xavier hesitated, weighing his words carefully. "I can't explain everything that happened that night," he began, a hint of frustration evident in his tone. "It was chaos, and I did what I had to do to survive."
Aric's eyes narrowed, a flicker of impatience crossing his features.
"Survival at the expense of a Grade Two monster's encounter is not something to dismiss lightly, Xavier," he retorted sharply. "There are rumors, whispers of an artifact, or a secret power aiding you. Do not attempt to deceive me with tales of mere luck."
Xavier's expression tightened, a mix of defiance and apprehension clouding his features. "I have no artifact, no secret power," he replied firmly, the truth ringing in his words.
Aric leaned back in his chair, his demeanor shifting from aggression to calculated contemplation. "Then how do you explain the scorched marks, the aftermath of an otherworldly battle?" he probed, his voice a calculated challenge.
Xavier hesitated, weighing his response. "I can't explain everything. There are things beyond our understanding, things I can't fully comprehend myself," he admitted, a hint of frustration tainting his words.
Aric's expression remained impassive, a mask of scrutiny veiling his thoughts. "Xavier, I will get to the truth of this matter. Whether it be a hidden power or an artifact, I will uncover it," he declared with a resolute edge to his voice.
The atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense, the weight of Aric's scrutiny bearing down on Xavier like an oppressive force.
The interrogation room seemed to grow heavier with each passing moment as Aric Von Caelum's frustration mounted. Despite his relentless questioning, Xavier remained composed, revealing nothing more than what he'd already disclosed. Aric's attempts at coercion, probing, and intimidation yielded no additional information.
Growing increasingly exasperated, Aric abruptly stood from his chair, his frustration evident in the tense set of his jaw and the restless pace of his steps. With a deep, frustrated sigh, he stormed out of the interrogation room, leaving Xavier sitting there, unfazed by the ordeal.
The hours ticked by, daylight slowly waning into the darkness of the night, yet Xavier remained seated, his patience unyielding. The ploy to unnerve him by keeping him confined didn't seem to have any effect. Aric had hoped the prolonged isolation would wear down Xavier's resolve, but to his dismay, Xavier sat there calmly, his composure unshaken.
As the moon rose high in the sky, Aric reappeared, his frustration palpable as he reluctantly approached the room. He knew he had no concrete evidence to detain Xavier any longer, and his failure to extract more information only added to his irritation.
With a begrudging nod, Aric signaled for Xavier's release, a scowl etched across his features. "You're free to go," he uttered through gritted teeth, his annoyance thinly veiled.
Xavier rose from his seat, a knowing smile playing on his lips as he glanced at Aric.
"Well, that was a delightful stay. I'd give it a three-star review," he quipped, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.
The mockery in Xavier's remark only served to aggravate Aric further. His jaw clenched in frustration, but he bit back any retort, watching in seething silence as Xavier calmly walked away.
As Xavier disappeared from view, Aric's frustration boiled over. His fists clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowing with simmering anger. He silently vowed to make Xavier pay for what he perceived as insolence and evasion. The unsolved puzzle of Xavier's survival in the face of the Grade Two Hairstalker loomed as a challenge Aric was determined to conquer, regardless of the cost.
The mercenary guild bustled with its usual activity as Xavier made his return, the familiar sights and sounds welcoming him back into its midst. As he navigated the bustling corridors, the Guild leader spotted him and waved him over.
"Xavier, good to see you back. How did the church's interrogation go?" the Guild leader inquired, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern.
"It went well, no issues," Xavier replied casually, not divulging much about the probing interrogation he'd endured.
The Guild leader nodded, acknowledging Xavier's response before handing over a folded piece of parchment.
"Here's your next mission," he said, his tone somewhat solemn. "We're running low on hunters, but this task might be a bit sensitive given recent events."
Xavier accepted the paper, unfolding it to reveal the details of his next assignment, a hunt for a Grade One beast named the Shadowfang Serpent. The task specified the need for the creature's corpse, intended as a crucial ingredient for alchemical purposes.
Glancing over the mission details with a practiced eye, Xavier absorbed the specifics before casually nodding.
"I'll take care of it," he affirmed, his tone betraying little emotion.
With the mission accepted, Xavier made his way back to his dorm, the weight of the upcoming task settling upon his shoulders. Yet, he maintained a composed demeanor, understanding the nature of his responsibilities.
Preparing for the mission, Xavier ensured all his gear was in order before settling into a routine he had come to rely on, focused meditation and a good night's rest. Despite the gravity of the upcoming task, he knew the importance of being well-rested and mentally prepared.
The tranquility of the dorm enveloped him as he slipped into a deep, undisturbed slumber, his mind clear and his body rejuvenated, ready to face the challenges of the impending hunt for the Shadowfang Serpent on the morrow.